Phlegm in my throat and post nasal drip after Covid

@abdulhamid30

Yes- the left side!

I want to pass along something we found that my wife has used to relieve the sinus drainage from LC. If you take 1/4 teaspoon of Thyme (yes the herb/spice), place it under your tongue and let it partially desolve, then chew and swallow the rest it provides relief from the drainage. It isn't a cure and if the drainage is bad it will come back later in the day. I am not a doctor so can't say why this works but it is something you could check out.

I have the same thing that started after COVID over 3 years ago. I have found no relief and in fact it seems to be getting worse. I am constantly trying to clear my throat but it never clears. That glob of phlegm sits in my throat and ready to pop up without notice and interfere with my speech or breathing. When I start to speak I never know if I will have a hoarse voice or gravely voice, a squeak, or if nothing will be audible at all. ENTs and pulmonologist say it will clear up but they really don't know what to make of it. I am convinced that is NEVER going to clear up. Sorry but that's the hard fact.

@wendyaz47 Sounds exactly like me … also started 3 years ago after having COVID. I’m convinced that it’s something I’ll be living with for the rest of my life. I’ve found no remedies that help at all and it’s seriously so depressing. I wish with all of my heart that there were answers. Doctors have not been of any help at all. I understand your frustration.

@kaw359

@wendyaz47
As gross as it is, there are many people who have more serious health issues which is why no doctor or scientist will take this seriously or try to figure out what to do about it. So we just have to learn to live with it and that's what I'm trying to do.

I just wanted to add an update. I am probably somewhere upthread about my nasal drainage, congestion, phlegm, terrible sounding voice, since covid in late 2023. A cause for mine was never determined except I was diagnosed by ENT with post covid syndrome. (Also had smell/taste disorder.) In 2025, I started using plain saline nasal spray a couple of times a day. It helped. Now, my previous symptoms are mostly gone. I am cautiously optimistic, but continue using the nasal spray twice a day. I have no idea if the spray helped or not, but…..just happy for the relief. I hope others will improve too. I think time may be a big factor.

My friend and I totally know how it feels. Sucks!! I try to always have some type of gum/candy/water with me. It helps some of the time. I sound horrible when I'm trying to clear it all. And I have a sore throat in the AM. Also, after a nights' sleep my left side is all clogged with more solid "gunk". It doesn't come out too easily either. Showers/washing my face helps - somehow. I don't understand it ...but I'm in that boat also. I did get the 1st vaccine of the 2 ..... in 2020 - never again. I NEVER felt anything like it with the flu, pneumonia, RSV shots. It's not dinner table talk...but..I hear more and more of the same from people as time goes by.

I also have this problem. It really flares up after I eat or drink something. My gag reflex kicks in and at times I almost throw up. Mine started about 1 year into my COVID journey when I was diagnosed with low CO2 and sleep apnea and started a CPAP machine. I’ve tried mucinex (which helps a little). I’m now moving to Flonase because my nasal passages are very irritated. I’m also starting to use a nebulizer with saline solution to see if that helps. I’m seeing my ENT soon. I’ll update if I get results.

@azlynn5 Yes, please keep us up-to-date!